The Rakhi Bel is a flower revered across cultures globally. This peculiar but gorgeous flower is also known as the Passion Flower Vine and Krishna Kamal. Its names signify how significant it is to different cultures and mythologies across the globe.

The Rakhi Bel is linked to both Hindu and Christian beliefs and mythologies, which is what makes it an extremely popular houseplant everywhere on the planet.

This unique flowering plant is thought to have been dubbed Passionflower in the West because the corona of the flower resembles the crown of thorns that Jesus wore at his crucifixion.

According to Hindu mythology, Krishna Kamal is tied to the Mahabharata. Its floral parts represent Lord Krishna’s Pandavas, Kauravas, Draupadi, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, and Sudarshan Chakra.

There are around 100 blue petals, one for each of the Kauravas. The five of the yellow ones are in the center, one for each of the Pandavas.
The green bulb in the center represents Draupadi, Pandava’s queen.

The three filaments of the rakhi bel flower represent the sacred trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Shiv, while the radial in the center represents Lord Krishna’s Sudarshan chakra.

Passionflower is a fast-growing, tendril-climbing vine that is woody in warm winter areas and herbaceous in cold winter climates. The leaves of the Krishna kamal flower are three-lobed and dark green. The flowers are 2.5″ in diameter and fringed, with white or purple petals and sepals and a central crown of pinkish-purple filaments.

The passionflower plant can range from woody to herbaceous, with tendril-bearing vines that produce regular blossoms. The Passiflora genus has over 550 flowering plant species.

They are found and grow very well in Southeast Asia, Central America, South America, Mexico, the United States, and Oceana.

When and How to Grow Passionflower vine?

The best season to grow rakhi bel flowering plant is from spring until mid-summer. Passionflower vine grows well in this season, flowers in mid to late summer, and dies back to the ground in winter before sprouting anew in spring from its existing roots in the soil.

Choose a medium-sized earthen or concrete container with at least 3 to 4 drainage holes to remove excess water from the soil in the pot when growing Krishna Kamal. You may also cultivate this plant directly in the soil for significantly faster vine development.

However, if properly cared for, it grows pretty well in containers. Passionflower thrives wonderfully in an earthen pot.

Propagating Passionflower from Seed.

Rakhi bel flower seeds grow best when they are fresh or directly from the fruit. The seeds of this unique plant don’t keep well and can go dormant for up to a year.

To propagate the rakhi bel plant from seeds. Simply take a piece of fine sandpaper and lightly massage one or both sides of the seeds to break dormancy and enhance germination for seeds that have been stored for a time. The seeds should then be soaked in lukewarm water for around 24 hours. Any drifting seeds should be discarded since they are contaminated.

Press the remaining seeds into damp potting mix or peat compost, approximately 14 inches (0.5 cm) apart—whatever you use should drain well. Cover with ventilated plastic to retain humidity and remove after two to four weeks, when germination begins.

Keep seedlings out of direct sunshine until their second set of leaves develops. With seed-grown plants, don’t expect to see blooms right away. Some passionflower species can bloom for up to ten years.

Propagating Rakhi Bel from Stem Cuttings.

Krishna Kamal stem cuttings are typically obtained during the softwood stage when they are easily broken off when bent.

Clip off roughly 4- to 6-inch (10-15 cm) cuttings just below the node with a sharp set of pruners. Remove the lowest leaves and tendrils, then dip the ends in the rooting hormone. Insert the cuttings into a well-draining potting mix or an equal mix of sand and peat. Water lightly, then cover with a clear, vented plastic bag. If necessary, include stick supports.

Put the cuttings in a shady spot and keep them warm and wet. Within a month, you should detect fresh growth, at which point you can gently tug on the cuttings to test their root establishment. They can be relocated to their permanent places once sufficient rooting has occurred.

How to Care for Rakhi bel?

Potting Soil

It is reasonably easy to make the potting mix for the passionflower vine.
Make potting soil by combining 30 per cent regular garden soil, 30 per cent organic compost, and 40 per cent cocopeat or river sand. Pour the mixture into the pot after completely mixing it.

Take care that the pH of the soil is between 6.5 and 7.2, indicating that it is virtually neutral. You can also add a 5% biozyme to your potting mix.

Sunlight

The Passionflower blooms well in bright sunlight. Place the pot with rakhi bel in a location where it will receive at least 6 to 7 hours of direct sunlight. However, protect the plant throughout the hot summer months. Provide shade to the Krishna kamal flower if the temperature rises beyond 37 degrees Celsius.

Watering

Water your rakhi bel vine when the top layer appears to be dry. The passionflower vine requires a lot of water to grow. But, be mindful of the waterlogging problem in the pot. Do not overfill the pot with water. Avoid soaking the leaves of rakhi bel while watering.

During scorching summer days, though, you can mist your plant in the early mornings. Maintain an equal, wet but not soggy moisture level in the soil.

Fertilizers

Krishna Kamal plant requires fertilizer from the start of the spring season. At the start of the spring season, apply one teaspoon of 19:19:19 NPK with 3 to 4 granules of DAP.

If you wish to grow your Passionflower entirely organically, use a few handfuls of vermicompost mixed with banana peel fertilizer.

After the first application, you can reapply balanced NPK every month until the end of the summer season. There is no need to apply fertilizer during the winter season.

If you’re using organic fertilizers like vermicompost in addition to banana peel fertilizer, repeat the process every month. However, the rakhi bel will swim through the winter without this procedure.

Pruning

The passionflower plant does not require a lot of pruning. Simply keep removing dead and damaged leaves from the plant on a regular basis to keep the vines in good form.

Follow all of the tips in this article. You will be able to cultivate a healthy passionflower in your yard too.

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